Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun was disgraced when he was suspended for 65 games last season for his ties to the Biogenesis clinic and performance enhancing drugs, but the outfielder is looking for a fresh start in 2014 and continued to apologize to fans in the first time he's spoken with them since the ban.
Braun attended the Brewers on Deck offseason fan event, and ESPN reports that he was received warmly by the fans despite one heckler. The 2011 National League Most Valuable Player continued to apologize for his controversial connection to PEDs and the now-defunct Florida-based clinic.
"I don't ever know if I could apologize enough for what's occurred, you know? I just continue to move forward and obviously I'll be apologetic," Braun said at the event, according to ESPN.
ESPN reports that Braun received a standing ovation when he was introduced as a part of a "Hollywood Squares" type game show at the event. Braun maintained that he was regretful for what he had done.
"I wish I could go back and do things differently, but I can't. All I can do is move forward and make the best of the opportunities presented to me," Braun said via ESPN.
It was Braun's first public appearance in front of fans since he admitted using PEDs last July after months of maintaining his innocence in the sport. While it has been a long road to acceptance with his fans, Braun has been accepted by his teammates with open arms.
"I've been hanging out with him. It's all good. I think he's just ready to move on like we all are," catcher Jonathan Lucroy said per ESPN.
Braun has tried his best to make amends, including calling season ticket subscribers and every suite ticketholder to apologize to them. The outfielder said it's important to him what the fans think of him.
"I've always taken tremendous pride in being a role model. I made a huge mistake. I've paid a great price for that mistake," Braun told ESPN. "I deeply regret it. I wish I could change it."
ESPN reports that when asked his first question during the mock game show, a fan yelled out, "You know he's lying!" Braun played it off and discussed the fans jab the next time he was up.
"As a fan so graciously pointed out, I've gotten in trouble in the past for not being completely forthcoming," Braun said per ESPN.
Braun, who battled a thumb injury last season before the ban, appeared in 61 games and hit .298 with nine homers and 38 RBIs. He'll move from left field to right field this season, and manager Ron Roenicke said it was good that he established some interaction with the fans.
"He's served the penalty Major League Baseball has come up with, and hopefully that's beyond what we need to address now," Roenicke said via ESPN.
Braun has been accepted by fans of the Brewers, but it's almost certain when he plays in road games throughout different stadiums this season, the reaction won't be so warm.
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